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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I


The critical consensus

Try as I might, I can't shake the suspicion that these films are too obviously built for purpose and too lacking in wit, warmth and humanity to survive much beyond the moment.

**(*)(*)(*)Xan Brooks, The Guardian, 11/11/2010

The thunder before the lightning; the rumble on the tracks... Passable and occasionally potent, but a towering great tease that has no right to exist in isolation from the latter - better - part of the story.

***(*)(*)Andy Lowe, Total Film, 11/11/2010

The penultimate instalment in the Harry Potter franchise is the scariest yet - but a film of real poignancy.

****(*)Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 11/11/2010

Your appetite will be whetted for what promises to be an almighty showdown before the curtain comes down on Harry Potter for good.

****(*)James Mottram, The Independent, 12/11/2010

The tension never fades amid desperate chases, frantic escapes, titanic battles, noble deaths, electrifying encounters and enough humour to break the tension every now and again.

*****Allan Hunter, Daily Express,

The first and third acts are over-busy; the middle one moves like an arthritic house-elf. Still, a decent smattering of magic moments and tension’s pumped up sky-high. Bring on Part 2.

***(*)(*)Nick de Semlyen, Empire Online, 12/11/2010

I can see why J. K. Rowling regards this as her favourite film of the series so far. It may not be the most lucid or entertaining of her yarns, but her three leads have matured into genuinely interesting characters.

***(*)(*)Chris Tookey, Daily Mail, 12/11/2010

It’s just slightly disappointing that, with the momentum having been established so effectively, we now have to wait until next year to enjoy the rest of the ride.

Marc Lee, The Telegraph, 12/11/2010

Partly because it is building towards the finale, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part One shapes up as one of stronger offerings in the series.

***(*)(*)Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 16/11/2010

This is less a movie than an appetiser before the main course next summer.

**(*)(*)(*)Kaleem Aftab, The List, 16/11/2010

The pace is slow – even, surely, for addicts – except when things whoosh into life a little with the special effects.

**(*)(*)(*)Nigel Andrews, Financial Times, 17/11/2010

What we have here is an uneven movie that is at turns touching, exciting and tedious. Ultimately it’s a movie that gives a distinct sense that maybe there isn’t enough content to justify it being split into two parts after all.

Paul Greenwood, Evening Times, 18/11/2010

There is a good 90-minute story visible inside this highly decorated circus elephant of a film.

***(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 18/11/2010

The end is nigh, but the penultimate Harry Potter adventure is a highly creative and lively affair, if lacking the genuinely scary moments it requires.

David Gritten, The Telegraph, 18/11/2010

It feels like the longest, deathliest panto ever made – and still it isn't over.

**(*)(*)(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 19/11/2010

As if to compensate for the longueurs, Yates delivers a few outstanding sequences.

***(*)(*)Alison Rowat, The Herald, 18/11/2010

Still, if its total success can only be properly measured upon arrival of the conclusion in July, the fact that Part 1 makes that worth waiting for should be taken as some kind of victory.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 19/11/2010

On the evidence of this penultimate film, the teenage wizard is getting the send-off he deserves. Roll on the summer.

****(*)Daily Record, 19/11/2010

It's overlong, padded out and, to one unacquainted with the novel, incoherent.

Philip French, The Observer, 21/11/2010

All we get is one-half of one-seventh of the series. No wonder it's unsatisfying.

Nicholas Barber, The Independent on Sunday, 21/11/2010


Features about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Rupert Grint wants time off from Harry Potter films

STV, 10/11/2010

Harry Potter: A home from home at Hogwarts

Bidisha, The Guardian, 11/11/2010

Interview with David Yates and Daniel Radcliffe

Will Lawrence, The Telegraph, 11/11/2010

Harry Potter by numbers

Daisy Dunn, The Telegraph, 12/11/2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Julie Kuttner, Daily Record, 12/11/2010

My children think the magic will last forever

Cassandra Jardine, The Telegraph, 12/11/2010

How Harry Potter brought millions to Britain through the magic of film

Dan Sabbagh, The Observer, 14/11/2010

Harry Potter: The end of the series is like a farewell to childhood

Jemima Owen, The Observer, 14/11/2010

Wizard job: the end of the line for Harry Potter

The Telegraph, 15/11/2010

The Harry Potter dividend

David Gritten, The Telegraph, 15/11/2010

What's next for Emma Watson

James Mottram, The Herald, 15/11/2010

Has Harry Potter got a Messiah complex?

Sarah Crompton, The Telegraph, 15/11/2010

End-of-term report: young Potter did more right than wrong

Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 17/11/2010

School's out: life must go on for Hogwarts graduates

James Mottram, The Scotsman, 17/11/2010

No more Harry Potter, JK Rowling 'promises' Daniel Radcliffe

Benedicte Page, The Guadian, 17/11/2010

When J.K. Rowling thought Harry Potter sales of 30,000 were 'phenomenal'

STV, 17/11/2010

J.K. Rowling on Harry Potter: Hogwars is Scottish

STV, 17/11/2010

J.K. Rowling: 'if done right, Harry Potter could make a great film'

STV, 17/11/2010

Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows too scary for young children?

Sarah Crompton, The Telegraph, 19/11/2010

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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